(Newser)
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Hollywood producer Jill Messick, who has died by suicide, was "collateral damage" in the "already horrific story" of Harvey Weinstein, her family says. In a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, the family of Rose McGowan's former manager describe her as a strong believer in the movement against sexual misconduct who was "victimized by our new culture of unlimited information sharing and a willingness to accept statement as fact." They say McGowan, who accused Messick of failing to support her after she was allegedly raped by Weinstein in 1997, made "inaccurate accusations and insinuations against her," but Messick didn't speak out "for fear of undermining the many individuals who came forward in truth."

The family says Messick stood up for McGowan and alerted her bosses after the actress told her about her experience with Weinstein. They say McGowan "never once used the word rape" in that conversation. Messick, 50, was married and had two children. Her family says she fought to put her life back together after a long struggle with bipolar disorder, but she was devastated when her name and photo appeared in stories about Weinstein's misconduct after he released an email from her without her consent. "Seeing her name in headlines again and again, as part of one person’s attempt to gain more attention for her personal cause, along with Harvey’s desperate attempt to vindicate himself, was devastating for her," they say. "It broke Jill, who was just starting to get her life back on track." The full statement can be read here.

First impulse is to pile on. But the family left behind has the burden and suffering that will never go away.....knowing their wife/mother fell to such despair in her soul. It's just sad...all the way around...for victims, family, friends.

Aka Mogg

Feb 9, 2018 1:27 PM CST

It still comes down to personal responsibility, IMO. Talent managers may be conflicted over the abuse of their clients by lecherous moguls but at the same time no doubt counsel 'tolerance' and 'keeping eyes on the prize' in show business. And politics, corporations and other employment under the 'glass ceiling' are show business by any other name. The point is, and as we are finding out, so long as men and women are going to play the sex for money game, sex for power game and perpetuate the inconvenient truth about the part sex plays in our lives no one is going to take complaints that any were 'victimized' when they took their turn in the barrel for $$$ and willingly. Even if reluctantly.

andthatsthetruth

Feb 9, 2018 12:42 PM CST

A person needs a program to keep up with all the drama in the Hollywood cesspit.